Chef at the University Canteen

Chapter 559 298: A Great Opportunity to Prove Myself

Seventh Dining Hall, First Floor Kitchen.

He Chunsheng stood excitedly at the workstation, vigorously kneading the dough.

"Xiaohu, don't rush it, the dough needs to be thoroughly kneaded. That way, the noodles will not only withstand cooking but also taste chewy."

Jiang Yu sat nearby, leisurely wrapping soup dumplings. His movements appeared slow, yet in his hands, the dough transformed effortlessly, and soon, a thin-skinned, generously filled soup dumpling with eighteen folds was done.

Unknowingly, Jiang Yu's dumpling-making skills had already reached mastery. Even Lu Shuwu recognized it; in the dumpling-rich regions like Huaiyang and Central Plains, Jiang Yu was among the top tier.

This is precisely why, in the Seventh Dining Hall, chicken broth dumplings sell like hotcakes in any season. Students who arrive late may not get to taste them.

"Yes, yes!"

He Chunsheng nodded vigorously, unconsciously kneading the dough harder.

No wonder he was so excited today because, as a Bakery Chef, he finally had a chance to showcase his skills.

Jiang Yu had agreed to let him add a noodle dish during lunch and dinner — Sichuan-style Chicken Noodle Salad.

Sichuan-style Chicken Noodle Salad is a dish primarily made of noodles and shredded chicken, a traditional Sichuan snack with a long history that has spread across the country, especially in the vast northern regions.

The method for making chicken noodle salad is not complex: boil the noodles in hot water.

The noodles shouldn't be cooked too soft; take them out in time, place them on the board, sprinkle with a small amount of roasted vegetable oil while hot, shake them loose to cool quickly until they don't stick and are cool, becoming cold noodles.

Then blanch mung bean sprouts in boiling water, drain and cool, squeeze dry, and place at the bottom of the plate, top with cold noodles, and then place shredded chicken on the noodles.

Next, thin sesame paste with water in a bowl, add various seasonings, mix well, pour over the noodles, and sprinkle chopped scallions and crushed spiced peanuts, ready to serve.

The characteristic of chicken noodle salad is the blend of multiple flavors, refreshing and appetizing, the noodles are chewy, making it a perfect summer snack to whet the appetite.

Chicken noodle salad is generally made with machine noodles, but can also be made using hand-pulled noodles.

Being a Bakery Chef, He Chunsheng certainly wouldn't use machine noodles for chicken noodle salad. He opted to make fine hand-pulled noodles for the Sichuan-style Chicken Noodle Salad.

Since starting work at the Seventh Dining Hall, unlike the warm and genial Niu Daqiang who quickly blended into the first-floor kitchen, or Xiong Zhengtao who was always busy on the second floor, He Chunsheng felt uneasy during this period.

In the first-floor kitchen, except for a few Red Chefs who were too busy to touch the daily breakfast pastry work.

Everyone else, perhaps unable to make more intricate Chinese pastries, could easily make simple buns or steamed bread.

Especially Boss Xiao Jiang's pastry skills, not inferior to his own cooking, leaving He Chunsheng feeling quite inadequate.

He observed around thoroughly, constantly feeling as if he was redundant, always on the edge of the kitchen.

Seemingly, the Seventh Dining Hall didn't need a senior Bakery Chef...

Originally, He Chunsheng applied to the Seventh Dining Hall hoping to excel in his specialty, ideally honing his pastry-making skills to a higher level.

He's never been one to pass days idly; he still dreams of seeing broader horizons.

However, this worry didn't last long for He Chunsheng.

Just last night, Jiang Yu approached him specifically to discuss:

"Xiaohu, the weather has been getting hotter and it seems the students staying at school are losing their appetites. The dining hall plans to remove some heavier dishes and substitute them with lighter, refreshing ones.

You're a Bakery Chef experienced in noodles and pastries, would you like to use this opportunity to add a refreshing, appetizing noodle dish?"

Upon hearing this, He Chunsheng's face flushed with excitement; this was a perfect chance to prove himself, and he wasn't going to let it slip away.

And if he didn't act, it wouldn't just be him thinking he's redundant; even the Boss and others at the dining hall would see him that way!

Thus, as soon as Jiang Yu finished speaking, He Chunsheng eagerly nodded, repeatedly saying:

"Boss, no problem, I can do it!"

"Alright, then let's leave a dish for you; think of what would best suit the situation."

"Boss, no need to think!"

Talking about noodles pumped He Chunsheng with confidence; he immediately blurted out,

"Let's make a Sichuan Specialty, Chicken Noodle Salad!"

He was very familiar with this noodle dish, perhaps due to his love for Sichuan cuisine, he's made chicken noodle salad quite a lot before.

Moreover, whether it's spicy, sour-spicy, or aromatic-spicy flavor, he had tried them all.

Probably because he made it often; his chicken noodle salad was very popular among relatives and friends. At his previous job at the Sichuan restaurant, chicken noodle salad even became a signature snack with returning customers coming daily for it.

To be honest, if not for the feeling that his pastry-making skills were stuck in a bottleneck, his wish to explore beyond was so strong, the restaurant owner might not have let him leave.

"Sichuan-style Chicken Noodle Salad?"

Jiang Yu looked at He Chunsheng again and, seeing his calm demeanor, nodded and said,

"Chicken noodle salad is indeed suitable for summer — flavorful, aromatic, and appetizing.

However, it's not suitable for making a large batch ahead of time, as tastes vary; some prefer spicy, others sour-spicy."

He paused and continued:

"So, how about this? You make the noodles tomorrow morning, cook and cool them, then have a separate window open at noon for fresh mixing and selling."

He Chunsheng replied repeatedly: "Yes, yes, thank you, Boss!"

After that, He Chunsheng internally reminded himself:

This is a rare chance to prove himself, and he mustn't miss it!

If he performs well, he might get the opportunity to work in the second-floor kitchen like Xiong Zhengtao.

After all, a high-end restaurant shouldn't lack high-end pastries, should it?

As long as he stays with Boss Xiao Jiang, maybe his stalled pastry-making skills might progress!

Thinking this, He Chunsheng was so excited he barely slept and got up early today, rushing to the dining hall.

However, the chicken noodle salad wasn't for breakfast sale, so when He Chunsheng arrived, he started by helping Lu Shuwu make soup dumplings as usual.

He was busy until breakfast ended before finally preparing various ingredients for the chicken noodle salad.